Formula dispenser

ABSTRACT

An improved dispenser for dispensing metered amounts of powdered material, such as baby formula, from a powdered material container having a removable cap that can be quickly and easily interconnected with the dispenser. The dispenser can accommodate formula bottles of various sizes and includes a dispensing plunger that provides an oscillating action to prevent compaction of the formula and functions to ensure even dispensing of the formula into the formula bottle. Uniquely, the improved dispenser includes a strategically positioned vibration motor that controllably vibrates the powdered material container in a manner to also prevent compaction and clumping of the powdered material contained within the powdered material container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to substance dispensers. Moreparticularly, the invention concerns an improved apparatus fordispensing metered amounts of powered material, such as infant formula,nutritional supplements and the like.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37CFR 1.97 and 1.98

A wide variety of dispensers for dispensing a number of different kindsof substances have been suggested in the past. More particularly, theprior art substance dispensers include dispensers for dispensing meteredamounts of particulate materials, including granular and powderedmaterials such as condiments, powdered flavor concentrate, chemicalreagents and nutritional supplements.

By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,396 issued to Russillo, et al.,discloses a dispenser apparatus for dispensing various types ofcondiments including salt, pepper, tea, coffee, spices, garlic andsugar. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,537 issued to Beers, et al.,concerns a single dosage substance dispenser for dispensing powderedchemical reagents used in photometric analysis. The Beers, et al.dispenser includes a housing having a chamber formed therein for holdingthe substance to be dispensed and a discharge port that communicateswith the chamber. A plunger is slidably mounted to the housing forextending through the chamber and into the discharge port. A spring isprovided for urging the plunger to retract so that the seal portion ofthe plunger engages the discharge port and a receptacle portion ismaintained in the chamber to collect the single dosage therefrom.

The patent to Robbins, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,615, concerns acondiment dispenser with variable quality control. The Robbins dispenserhas the plunger which is pressed downwardly by the user to dispensecondiments such as salt, pepper, sugar, spices, etc. An adjusting devicecan be set to determine a predetermined amount be dispensed by eachstroke of the plunger.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,749 ('749), which was issued to the present inventorillustrates and describes the earlier form of dispenser unit, theimprovement of which is described in the present application. Thisearlier form of dispenser unit has proven to be quite satisfactory, butexhibits a drawback that the improved dispenser of the present inventionhas uniquely corrected. More particularly, in the operation of theearlier form of the dispenser unit, certain of the powdered materialsas, for example, powdered baby formula being dispensed by the unit wouldoccasionally tend to become overly compacted, or to clump, therebyresulting in the uneven dispensing of the material. As will be discussedmore fully in the paragraphs which follow, the improved dispenser of thepresent invention overcomes this deficiency by providing strategicallylocated vibration motors that tend to mitigate against clumping of thepowdered materials and function, along with the plunger of the device,to mitigate against compaction of the material and to ensure smooth anduniform dispensing of the materials into the powder-receiving container.

Another significant improvement to the dispenser of the '749 Patentresides in the provision of a material-receiving container of noveloperation and design that takes the place of the powderedmaterial-containing cartridge 34 illustrated and described in the '749Patent. The construction and operation of this novel material-receivingcontainer will be discussed in the paragraphs that follow.

Because of the pertinence, Applicant's earlier patent, U.S. Pat. No.7,861,749 is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forthherein.

While the improved dispenser of the present invention is usable fordispensing a number of different types of powdered materials, it isespecially useful for dispensing powdered baby formula. In this regard,a number of different types of infant formulas are readily commerciallyavailable in the United States and throughout the world. Because it isgenerally less expensive, infant formula in powdered form has becomequite popular in recent years. Feeding with infant formula is practicedfor a number of reasons, including the inability of the mother toproduce sufficient breast milk, situations where the mother is takingmedication that may adversely affect the quality of her breast milk andwhen the mother simply chooses not to breast-feed.

Powdered infant formula is generally sold in bulk and when used istypically removed from the bulk container in measured amounts and thenmixed with specified amounts of water. The exact proportions specifiedon the product label must be used. Under-diluted formula can result inproblems with the infant's digestive system and over-diluted formulawill not provide adequate nutrition for the infant. It is this problem,among others, that the apparatus of the present invention seeks toovercome by providing an easy-to-use, highly reliable dispensingapparatus that automatically dispenses into the baby bottle precisequantities of infant formula.

The unique design of the dispenser of the present invention permits theuser to load into the apparatus, baby bottles of various sizes and thento accurately dispense formula into the baby bottle without spillage.The plunger of the device, which can be operated with one hand ifnecessary, has an oscillating action that along with the vibrationmotors mitigates against compaction of the formula and prevents unevendispensing of formula. Further, the plunger action builds negativepressure internally of the dispensing chamber during the down stroke toassist with the evacuation of formula from the dispensing cartridge ofthe device. As the internal volume in the dispensing chamber increasesduring the plunger down stroke, the resulting lowered internal pressurehelps to uniformly draw formula from the dispensing cartridge.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser fordispensing metered amounts of various types of materials, including babyformula, that is compact, easy-to-use and of an attractive design.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of theaforementioned character which can accommodate formula bottles ofvarious sizes and in such a manner as to ensure that the formula bottleis directly integrated with the dispenser outlet so as to avoidspillage.

Another highly important object of the invention is to provide adispenser of the character described which includes strategicallylocated vibration motors that tend to mitigate against compaction andclumping of the powdered materials during the dispensing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser as describedin the preceding paragraphs that includes a dispensing plunger thatprovides an oscillating action which, along with the vibration motor,prevents compaction of the formula and ensures even dispensing of theformula into the formula bottle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of thecharacter described in the preceding paragraphs in which the action ofthe dispensing plunger creates a negative pressure internally of thedispensing chamber of the dispenser so as to assist in the uniformwithdrawal of formula from the pre-filled cartridge.

Another object of the invention is to provide a substance dispenser thatdispenses powdered material, such as baby formula, from a pre-filleddispenser unit, or soft cartridge, that can be quickly and easilyinserted into the material-receiving component of the dispenser.

Another object of the invention is to provide a substance dispenser ofthe character described in the preceding paragraph in which thepre-filled dispenser unit, or soft cartridge, can be quickly and easilyopened after it has been positioned within the material-receivingcomponent of the dispenser so as to effectively preclude contaminationof the formula contained within the cartridge.

Another object of the invention is to provide a substance dispenser inwhich the material-receiving component of the dispenser is provided witha removable top so that, if desired, the removable top can be removedand powdered material such as baby formula from a bulk container can bequickly and easily poured, ladled or otherwise removed from the bulkcontainer and deposited into the material-receiving component of thedispenser.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser as describedin the preceding paragraphs in which a single, measured portion ofpowdered formula is dispensed each time the dispensing plunger isactuated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser as describedin the preceding paragraph that includes a volume control subassemblythat enables a predetermined volume of powdered formula to be dispensedinto the formula bottle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the typedescribed in which the parts can be easily assembled and disassembledfor ease of washing.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are realized by thedispenser apparatus of the invention as more fully described in theparagraphs which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view of one form of the dispenserapparatus of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a generally perspective, exploded view of the apparatus shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a generally perspective view of one form of amaterial-containing cartridge usable with the dispenser apparatus of theinvention.

FIG. 3A is a generally perspective, exploded view of thematerial-containing cartridge shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged, generally perspective view of the plungersub-assembly of the apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded, generally perspective, diagrammatic view, similarto FIG. 4, illustrating the operation of the plunger sub-assembly.

FIG. 5A is an exploded, generally perspective view, similar to FIGS. 4and 5, but showing the plunger sub-assembly in a material-dispensingposition.

FIG. 5B is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along lines 5B-5B ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, generally perspective, fragmentary view of thearea designated in FIG. 6 as 7-7 showing in solid lines the upperportion of the dispenser housing illustrating the positioning of thevibration motors of the apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a generally perspective, exploded view of the volume controlsubassembly of an alternate form of dispenser apparatus of the inventionfor precisely controlling the volume of formula that is to be dispensedinto the formula bottle.

FIG. 8A is a fragmentary view of the alternate form of dispenserapparatus of the invention within which the volume control subassemblyshown in FIG. 8 is mounted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, one form ofthe improved dispenser apparatus of the present invention for dispensingpowered material into a container, such as a formula bottle “B” is thereshown and generally designated by the numeral 30. The dispenserapparatus here comprises a housing 32 having a base portion 32 a and anupper portion 32 b. Upper portion 32 b includes a closure wall 34 havingat least one locating protuberance 35 and an opening 36, the purpose ofwhich will presently be described (see also FIG. 6).

As best seen by referring to FIG. 6, a container support base 38 isconnected to housing 32 for supporting the container, or formula bottle“B”. The support base is movable through a distance “D” between a firstposition shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 6 and a second position shownby the solid lines in FIG. 6. Biasing means shown here as a coil spring40 that is housed internally of housing 32, functions to continuouslyurge the container support base 38 toward the first position shown bythe dotted lines in FIG. 6. In the present form of the invention, theupper end 40 a of the spring is interconnected with the vibration motorsupport 41 and the lower end 40 b of the spring is interconnected withthe connector portion 38 a of support base 38. In operation, the supportbase moves telescopically along a guide rod 42 that is housed within thehousing 32. With the construction thus described, formula bottles ofvarious sizes can readily be operably interconnected with the dispenserin the manner indicated in the drawings.

Removably connected to the upper portion 32 b of housing 32 in themanner best seen in FIG. 6 of the drawings is a material-receivingcontainer 44 for receiving, in various forms, the powdered material tobe dispensed. In the preferred form of the invention, container 44comprises a bottom wall 44 a, a side wall 44 b having a materialdispensing opening 45, and a removable cap 44 c that is removablyconnected to the upper portion of side wall 44 b. As illustrated in FIG.2, after removal of cap 44 c, a soft cartridge “SC” containing apredetermined amount of powdered material can be conveniently insertedinto the internal chamber 44 d of the container 44. Soft cartridge “SC”is provided with a side opening “O” (FIG. 3A) that is sealed by asealing tab “T” that can be removed after the cartridge is in positionwithin internal chamber 44 d.

It is to be understood that rather than using soft cartridge “SC”, thepowdered material to be dispensed can be obtained from a bulk packageand, once the cap 44 c is removed, can be poured, ladled, or otherwisedeposited into the internal chamber 44 d of the container in whateverquantity that may be desired by the user.

As indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7, to correctly position thematerial-receiving container 44 relative to housing 32, bottom wall 44 ais provided with at least one opening 44 o that receives the previouslyidentified protuberance 35 and a connector protuberance 49 that isconstructed and arranged to be received within the previously identifiedopening 36 formed in the top wall 34 of housing 32. As indicated in thedrawings, when the material-receiving container 44 is correctlypositioned relative to housing 32, the outlet 45 of the container isindexedly aligned with the inlet of the novel material-dispensingassembly 54 of the invention, the character of which will presently bedescribed. As shown in FIG. 7, a locking plate assembly 55, which iscarried on wall 34, releasably receives protuberance 49. The lockingplate assembly, which is similar to that described inincorporated-by-reference U.S. Pat. No. 7,861,749, is constructed andarranged so that by sliding the locking plate 55 a of the locking plateassembly from a first position to a second release position, theprotuberance 49 will be released and the material-receiving containercan be separated from the housing 32 for cleaning or replacement.

Referring particularly to FIG. 6, the important powderedmaterial-dispensing assembly 54 here comprises a dispensing housing 56having a powdered material chamber 57 having an inlet 57 a that is incommunication with container outlet 45. As shown in FIG. 6, powderedmaterial chamber 57 has an outlet 57 b that is in communication with theinlet “I” of the formula bottle “B”.

Forming a highly novel feature of the apparatus of the present inventionis a material dispensing plunger sub-assembly, which is generallydesignated in the drawings by the numeral 58. Plunger sub-assembly 58,which is interconnected with the dispensing housing 56, comprises anelongated shaft 60 having an upper portion 60 a and a lower portion 60b. By pushing downwardly on the finger engaging head portion 61, shaft60 can be moved within the powdered material holding chamber 58 from thefirst position shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 5A to the secondposition shown by the solid lines in FIG. 5A.

Affixed proximate the lower portion 60 b of the shaft 60 is a uniquelyconfigured, powdered material-dispensing component 64. In a mannerpresently to be described, material-dispensing component 64 functions toaccurately dispense metered amounts of powdered material from powderedmaterial chamber 57 into the formula bottle “B”.

Forming another highly novel feature of the present invention isoscillating means for oscillating the powdered material contained withinpowdered material chamber 57 as the material is dispensed into theformula bottle. This novel oscillating means functions to agitate thepowdered material contained within chamber 57 and to release thepowdered material from the chamber in an evenly distributed circularpattern into the formula bottle.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 4, 5 and 5A, this important oscillatingmeans here comprises, in addition to shaft 60 and material dispensingcomponent 64, a collar 6 that is affixed to elongated shaft 60 proximatethe upper portion 60 a thereof. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 5A, collar66 is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed guide pins 68 thatextend outwardly therefrom. Guide pins 68 are closely received withingenerally serpentine-shaped guide channels 70 a formed in a pair ofoppositely disposed guide members 70 that are connected to housing 32proximate the upper portion thereof. For a purpose presently to bedescribed, a coil spring 72 circumscribes the intermediate portion ofelongated shaft 60 so that the coil spring is disposed between collar 66and the powdered material dispensing component 64. With thisconstruction, as the shaft 60 is pushed downwardly in the direction ofthe arrow 67 of FIG. 5 against the urging of the coil spring 72, theguide pins 66 will travel along the serpentine guide channels 70 athereby causing an oscillating, generally circular-shaped motion to beimparted to the powdered material-dispensing component 64 as indicatedby the arrows 69 and 71 of FIGS. 5 and 5A.

In using the dispenser apparatus, the powdered material-containing softcartridge SC is first inserted into chamber 44 b of thematerial-receiving container 44 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2 and6 of the drawings.

With the formula bottle “B” in position on the support base 38 in themanner illustrated in FIG. 6 and with the soft cartridge “SC” inposition within chamber 44 b of container 44, the user can move thesealing tab “T” upwardly by gripping the upper margin “T−1” of thesealing tab (see FIGS. 2 and 3A). With the sealing tab removed, thepowdered medicament can flow through outlet “O”, into chamber 44 b andoutwardly of opening 45 into chamber 58 of the powderedmaterial-dispensing assembly 54.

To dispense a predetermined amount of formula into the formula bottle,the user need only push downwardly on the palm-engaging head portion 61of the shaft 60. This downward movement of the shaft from the positionshown by the dotted lines in FIG. 5A to the position shown by the solidlines in FIG. 5A will result in an oscillating movement of the powderedmaterial-dispensing component 64 within the lower portion of chamber 57in the manner previously described, which will cause the powderedmaterial to flow evenly into the formula bottle.

Additionally, as previously mentioned, the downward movement of thedispensing plunger creates a negative pressure internally of thedispensing chamber of the dispenser so as to assist in the uniformwithdrawal of formula from the pre-filled cartridge. More particularly,as shown in FIG. 5B of the drawings, palm-engaging head 61 includes apassageway 61 a that communicates with a reduced diameter passageway 60c formed in the upper portion of shaft 60. Passageway 60 c, in turn,communicates with a cross-bore 60 d formed in the upper portion of theshaft. With this construction, the downward movement of the shaft willresult in a decrease in pressure which assists in drawing the powderedmaterial from the soft cartridge via outlet 45. However, when the userremoves his or her palm from the palm-engaging head portion, passageway61 a will be open to atmosphere, permitting pressure equalization tooccur via the cross-bore 60 d and the reduced diameter passageway 60 c.

An extremely important feature of the improved dispenser of the presentinvention resides in the provision of first and second vibration motors80 and 81 that are connected to the lower surface of top wall 34 ofhousing 32 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings.As previously mentioned, these vibration motors are strategicallylocated proximate outlet 45 so as to impart a controlled vibration tointernal chamber 44 d of material-receiving container 44 in a manner tomitigate against compaction and clumping of the powdered materials asthe materials flow through outlet 45. While the vibration motors cantake various forms, vibration motors 80 and 81 are battery-operated andare operably interconnected with a battery 84 by means of wires 80 a and81 a respectively (see FIG. 6). Battery 84, which is of a character wellunderstood by those skilled in the art and is readily commerciallyavailable, is disposed within the lower portion of housing 32.

The novel and important vibration motors 80 and 81 of the presentinvention are of a character well understood by those skilled in the artand are readily commercially available from several sources, butvibration motors that are sold by Shenzhen Kinmore Motor Co, Ltd. ofShenzhen, Guangdong, China have proven to be quite satisfactory for theintended purpose.

After filling the bottle “B”, the bottle can be removed from base 38 andthe contents thereof then intermixed with water or other liquid.

When the soft cartridge “SC is empty, it can be easily removed from thecontainer 44 and, if desired, container 40 can be disconnected fromhousing 32 for cleaning.

Referring next to FIGS. 8 and 8A, an alternate form of the improveddispenser apparatus of the present invention is there shown andgenerally designated by the numeral 87. This form of the improveddispenser apparatus is similar in many respects to that illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 7 and like numerals are used in FIGS. 8 and 8A toidentify like components. Unlike the earlier described embodiments ofthe invention, dispenser apparatus 88 includes a novel portion controlassembly that can be used to dispense a precise, predetermined volume ofthe powdered material into a container, such as the formula bottle “B”.The dispenser apparatus 87 here comprises a housing 88 that is similarin construction to the earlier described housing 32 and includes anupper portion 88 a having a closure wall 90. Closure wall 90 is providedwith at least one locating protuberance 92 and an opening 94, thepurpose of which will presently be described. As before, housing 88supports the container, or formula bottle “B”, which, as in the earlierdescribed embodiments, is movable between a lower position and an upperposition. With this construction formula, bottles of various sizes canreadily be operably interconnected with the dispenser.

Removably connected to the upper portion 88 a of housing 88, in themanner best seen in FIG. 8A of the drawings, is a material-receivingcontainer 44 for receiving the powdered material to be dispensed.Material-receiving container 44 is substantially identical inconstruction and operation to that previously described herein andincludes a bottom wall 44 a, a side wall 44 b having a materialdispensing opening 45, and a removable cap (not shown in FIG. 8A) thatis removably connected to the upper portion of side wall 44 b.

In using the apparatus of this latest form of the invention, thepowdered material to be dispensed is obtained from a bulk package and,once the closure cap is removed, can be poured, ladled, or otherwisedeposited into the internal chamber 44 d of the container in whateverquantity that may be desired by the user.

To correctly position the material-receiving container 44 relative tohousing 88, bottom wall 44 a is provided with at least one opening thatreceives the previously identified protuberance 35 and a connectorprotuberance 49 that is constructed and arranged to be received withinthe previously identified opening 94 formed in the top wall 90 ofhousing 88. As indicated in the drawings, when the material-receivingcontainer 44 is correctly positioned relative to housing 88, the outlet45 of the container is indexedly aligned with the inlet of the novelmaterial-dispensing assembly 100 of the invention, the character ofwhich will presently be described. As in the earlier describedembodiment of the invention, a locking plate assembly releasablyreceives protuberance 49. The locking plate assembly is constructed andarranged so that by sliding the locking plate of the locking plateassembly from a first position to a second release position, theprotuberance 49 will be released and the material-receiving containercan be separated from the housing 88 for cleaning or replacement.

Referring particularly to FIG. 8A, the important powderedmaterial-dispensing assembly 100 here comprises a dispensing housing 102having a powdered material chamber 104 having an inlet 104 a that is incommunication with container outlet 45. As shown in FIG. 8A, powderedmaterial holding chamber 104 has an outlet 104 b (FIG. 8A) that is incommunication with the inlet “I” of the formula bottle “B”.

Forming a highly novel feature of the apparatus of this latest form ofthe invention is a material-dispensing plunger sub-assembly, which isgenerally designated in the drawings by the numeral 108. Plungersub-assembly 108, which is interconnected with the dispensing housing102, comprises an elongated shaft 110 having an upper portion 110 a anda lower portion 110 b. By pushing downwardly on the finger engaging headportion 111, shaft 110 can be moved within the powdered material holdingchamber 104 against the urging of a coil spring 113, which circumscribesshaft 110, from the first upper position to the second lower position.

Affixed proximate the lower portion 110 b of the shaft 110 is a uniquelyconfigured, powdered material-dispensing and portion control assembly114. In a manner presently to be described, assembly 114 functions toaccurately dispense a predetermined volume of powdered material frompowdered material holding chamber 104 into the formula bottle “B”.Powdered material-dispensing and portion control assembly 114 includes ahousing 116 having a top portion 116 a, a threaded bottom portion 116 band a side portion 116 c that interconnects the top and bottom portions.Top, bottom, and side portions 116 a, 116 b and 116 c cooperate todefine a generally cylindrically-shaped internal chamber 119 having aknown volume “V” (FIG. 8). Connected to top portion 116 a is a disk-likepusher member 118 that is also connected to the bottom portion of shaft110. Threadably interconnected with bottom portion 116 b of the housing116 is a closure cap 120 that closes the lower portion of the internalchamber. Removably receivable within internal chamber 119 through anopening 119 a is a plurality of generally cylindrically-shaped chambervolume determining inserts, each being of a known volume. In thedrawings, two chamber volume determining inserts 122 and 124 aredepicted. However, it is to be understood that in using this latest formof the invention, any number of inserts of a known volume can be used.

In using the apparatus of this latest form of the invention, the usermust first determine the desired portion of formula that is to bedispensed into the bottle “B”. As previously mentioned, the portion offormula that is to be dispensed can be varied by varying the number ofvolume determining inserts that are disposed within chamber 119. In theconfiguration shown in FIG. 8A of the drawings, after removing closurecap 120, two inserts, namely inserts 122 and 124, have been insertedinto chamber 119 through opening 119 a. With the inserts in positionwithin chamber 119, the volume remaining within the chamber is thecylindrically-shaped volume identified in FIG. 8A as “V−1”. During thebottle filling operation, the formula contained withinmaterial-receiving container 44 will flow into volume “V−1” via outlet45 and inlet 104 a of material chamber 104. Next, as the shaft 110 ispushed downwardly against the urging of the coil spring 113 by a forceexerted on finger engaging head portion 111, the housing 116 will bemoved downwardly into the bottle and the formula contained withinchamber “V−1” will flow evenly into the bottle through thecircumferentially spaced apart outlets formed in the side portion of thehousing.

If the user desires to dispense a larger volume of formula into thebottle, closure cover 120 can be removed and one or both of the insertscan be removed, thereby controllably varying the volume remaining withinchamber 119 that can accept formula flowing from the material-receivingcontainer 104.

As in the earlier described embodiments of the invention, this latestembodiment includes the important first and second vibration motors 80and 81 that are connected to the lower surface of top wall 90 of housing88 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 8A of the drawings.

Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with therequirements of the patent statues, those skilled in this art will haveno difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individualparts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirementsor conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth inthe following claims.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. An improved powder dispenser apparatus fordispensing measured quantities of powdered material, the dispensercomprising: a chamber configured to house a quantity of powderedmaterial therewithin, the chamber comprising an opening for permittingthe user to release a measured quantity of the powdered material thatmay be stored within the chamber as desired; a housing configured tosupport the chamber in a secure but releasable manner, permitting theuser to exchange one chamber with another chamber; and means fordirecting vibrational forces to the chamber, the directing meanssupported by the housing in a manner such that the vibrational forcesfacilitate the flow of powdered material from within the chamber as itis being released.
 17. The improved powder dispenser of claim 13,wherein the directing means comprises a vibration motor.
 18. Theimproved powder dispenser of claim 13, further comprising means forcontrolling measured amounts of powdered material released from thechamber when the user wishes to dispense powdered material, thecontrolling means comprising a plunger that defines a space having avolume into which powdered material may flow.
 19. The improved powderdispenser of claim 15, wherein the controlling means comprises anadjustment mechanism for changing the volume of the space of thecontrolling means.
 20. The improved powder dispenser of claim 16,wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an insert configured to fitwithin a portion of the space defined by the plunger.
 21. The improvedpowder dispenser of claim 13, wherein the housing further comprises anadjustable support for supporting an external container, the housingconfigured to permit a user to transfer released powdered material fromthe chamber into the container by using the controlling means.
 22. Animproved powder dispenser apparatus for dispensing measured quantitiesof powdered material, the dispenser comprising: a chamber configured tohouse a quantity of powdered material therewithin, the chambercomprising an opening for permitting the user to release a measuredquantity of the powdered material that may be stored within the chamberas desired; a housing configured to support the chamber in a secure butreleasable manner, permitting the user to exchange one chamber withanother chamber; and means for controlling measured amounts of powderedmaterial released from the chamber when the user wishes to dispensepowdered material, the controlling means comprising a plunger thatdefines a space having a volume into which powdered material may flow,wherein the controlling means comprises an adjustment mechanism forchanging the volume of the space of the controlling means.
 23. Theimproved powder dispenser of claim 19, wherein the adjustment mechanismcomprises an insert configured to fit within a portion of the spacedefined by the plunger.
 24. The improved powder dispenser of claim 13,further comprising means for directing vibrational forces to thechamber, the directing means supported by the housing in a manner suchthat the vibrational forces facilitate the flow of powdered materialfrom within the chamber as it is being released.
 25. The improved powderdispenser of claim 13, wherein the directing means comprises a vibrationmotor.
 26. The improved powder dispenser of claim 13, wherein thehousing further comprises an adjustable support for supporting anexternal container, the housing configured to permit a user to transferreleased powdered material from the chamber into the container by usingthe controlling means.